On Thursday, November 19, 2015 the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) hosted a webinar to assist participants in understanding the status of challenges to the Clean Water Rule in the courts and explore what might happen in the coming months. The webinar provided a general overview of pending legal challenges to the Clean Water Rule and the status of those challenges. Much of the presentation focused on the basis for the legal challenges and what the process is likely to be in the courts as the lawsuits move through the justice system. Presenters also discussed various bills and resolutions before Congress, as well as the possibility of a rider being attached to the expected Congressional omnibus spending bill.

Panelists were Roy Gardner, Professor of Law and Director, Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, Stetson University College of Law and Kim Diana Connolly, Professor, Director of Clinical Legal Education, Vice Dean for Legal Skills, SUNY Buffalo Law School. Both panelists have extensive experience in Clean Water Act law and policy issues.

Part 2: Presenter: Roy Gardner, Professor of Law and Director, Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, Stetson University Collegeof Law

Part 3: Presenters: Roy Gardner, Professor of Law and Director, Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, Stetson University Collegeof Law and Kim Diana Connolly, Professor, Director of Clinical Legal Education, Vice Dean for Legal Skills, SUNY Buffalo Law School

Part 4: Questions/Answers

Clean Water Rule Webinar: Understanding Legal Challenges and Next Steps for the Clean Water Rule

Wednesday, August 24, 2015

On Monday, August 24, 2015 the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) hosted a webinar on “Understanding Legal Challenges and Next Steps for the Clean Water Rule” with presentations by Roy Gardner, Professor of Law and Director, Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy and Kim Diana Connolly, Professor, Director of Clinical Legal Education, Vice Dean for Legal Skills, SUNY Buffalo Law School. It was recorded and the webinar can be viewed below.

On Wednesday, June 17 the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) held a webinar “Understanding the Final Clean Water Rule and Changes to CWA Jurisdiction Included in Senate Bill 1140” with presentations by Roy Gardner, Professor of Law and Director, Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy and Kim Diana Connolly, Professor, Director of Clinical Legal Education, Vice Dean for Legal Skills, SUNY Buffalo Law School. Topics covered during the webinar included: an overview of changes to CWA jurisdiction under the new rule, a discussion of how the changes reflect the Carabell/Rapanos and SWANCC Supreme Court decisions and an overview of Senate Bill 1140, "The Federal Water Quality Protection Act". It was recorded and the webinar can be viewed below.

Webinar Overview: Have you ever wondered what role a specific wetland plays in the international scheme of things? Does it have international significance? What can be done to protect and promote its unique contributions?

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, known as the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The convention is named after its place of signing in Ramsar, Iran. The Convention has historically focused on protecting wetlands for waterfowl. However, Ramsar’s scope has expanded in recent years to focus more broadly on wetlands of “specific and irreplaceable global value.”

This webinar will provide an overview of Ramsar, the upcoming Ramsar Conference of Contracting Parties, what it means to become a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, the process to apply for designation, and the benefits of becoming a designated Ramsar site in the United States and Canada. Agencies will explain the roles their staff play to support implementation of the Ramsar Convention; site managers will share their experiences being a designated Wetland of International Importance; and education center staff will describe the range of activities that occur at their sites. Come join us to learn about the latest efforts to increase the number of Ramsar site designations and strengthen Ramsar implementation in the U.S., Canada and abroad.

The webinar will be co-hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Association of State Wetland Managers.